tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50891693766769598582024-03-05T01:09:46.351-08:00The Nook B&BContact Info:
Cell: +27 721168390
Fax: +27 865230240
Email: thenookbandb@gmail.comRob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-16622428207480494892012-10-03T07:10:00.001-07:002012-10-03T07:10:02.737-07:00<div>
<b>Welcome</b></div>
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Spring has sprung in the Northern Cape and the province is welcoming visitors with its annual fantastic floral display. Experts reckon that this flower season promises to be one of the most spectacular in years and prolific flowering has already been reported in various areas since mid August. The Namaqua, Hantam and Nieuwoudtville areas as well as the coastal routes are currently a kaleidoscope of colour as various kinds of daisies, succulents and other indigenous species in full bloom.</div>
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1. <b> Legends of the Northern Cape</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Northern Cape boasts a rich cultural heritage and each month we highlight people, who have shaped and influenced our lives... read more</div>
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2. <b>Interesting Northern Cape</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Northern Cape will be celebrating Tourism Month 2012 with a jam-packed calendar of <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>events <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>and activities happening across the province.... read more.</div>
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3. <b>Destination Insider</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>This month, we visit the Karoo region... read more.</div>
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4. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Explore</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We explore... read more.</div>
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5. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <b>Stay at</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A wide choice of accommodation is available... read more</div>
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6. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <b>What's On Diary</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Our events calendar is filled with exciting events and festivals... read more.</div>
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7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Impressions My Northern Cape</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Share your Northern Cape experiences with us and send your photos... read more.</div>
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<b>Legends of the Northern Cape</b></div>
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<b>Renowned author Olive Schreiner</b> (24 March 1855 – 11 December 1920) had close links with Kimberley and the Northern Cape and lived in the capital with her husband and was even buried there. Schreiner received worldwide acclaim for her book "Story of an African Farm" based on her growing up in South Africa and on the diamond fields. Olive later became one of the first voices of feminism in South Africa as well as an avid anti-war campaigner and intellectual. . Today her small three-roomed cottage is a landmark in the village of Matjiesfontein. In more recent studies, she has also been described as an apologist for those sidelined by the forces of British Imperialism, such as the Afrikaners and later other South African groups like Blacks, Jews and Indians - to name but a few. Although she may be called a lifelong freethinker in terms of her Victorian background - as opposed to mainstream Christianity - she always remained true to the spirit of the Christian Bible and developed a secular version of the worldview of her missionary parents. (Source: wikipedia)</div>
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<b>Pixley Seme</b> was born on 1 October 1881 in Natal, the son of Isaka Sarah (nee Mseleku) Seme. He obtained his primary school education at the local mission school where the American Congregationalist missionary, Reverend S. C. Pixley, took an interest in him and arranged for him to go the Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts in the USA. Seme did his BA degree at Columbia and then went to Oxford University, where he completed his law degree. He was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in London before returning to South Africa on the eve of the creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910. His memorable speech at Columbia University in 1906 on “The Regeneration of Africa” won him the University’s highest oratorical honour, the George William Curtis medal. The speech was circulated widely in South Africa and revealed Seme’s remarkable way with words. While in London in 1909, Seme followed deliberations about the Union of South Africa Bill (1909) that proposed a framework for the establishment of the Union of South Africa. His reaction to this development is articulated in another authoritative view on the future of South Africa.</div>
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<b>Explorer David Livingstone </b>(19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) was first drawn to Africa by his fellow missionary Robert Moffat, who had been doing passionate missionary work amongst the local tribes in the Kuruman region. Livingstone later married Moffat’s daughter Mary and was no stranger to pulpits of various congregations throughout the Northern Cape. Livingstone was born to a working-class family in Scotland. He qualified as a Licentiate of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 1840 and was also ordained as a missionary by the London Missionary Society that same year and set sail for South Africa and onward to the mission station at Kuruman as a missionary doctor. From 1841 until his death in 1873, Livingstone explored the interior of central and southern Africa. His initial aim was to spread Christianity and bring commerce and "civilisation" to these regions, but his later missions were more concerned with exploration, firstly of the Zambesi and its tributaries and later to find the source of the Nile. Livingstone was one of the first medical missionaries to enter southern Africa, the first in central Africa and he was often the first European to meet local tribes. (Source: wikipedia) (Source: wikipedia)</div>
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<b>Interesting Northern Cape</b></div>
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September was Tourism Month and the Northern Cape used this opportunity to promote travel within the province to the domestic market, while simultaneously highlighting the crucial impact of domestic travel for the Northern Cape to tourism product owners. Events and activities on the events calendar also allow visitors to explore the pulse of the Northern Cape by experiencing the traditions, stories and lifestyle of its peoples.</div>
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The Northern Cape Tourism Authority, the tourism destination marketing body for South Africa’s largest province will utilise the pillars of the domestic tourism campaign “It’s Here, Vaya Mzansi” to highlight the amazing offerings of South Africa’s largest province. Take a tour of the Northern Cape and share your experience by sending your best tourism month photo to tebogo@axperiencenortherncape.com.</div>
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<b>MY NORTHERN CAPE</b></div>
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The Northern Cape prides itself in the diversity of the province, its people and offerings. Lately, the province gained prominence for its forward-thinking, environmentally friendly campaigns and activities. From green energy to bio-diversity and rehabilitation projects, the Northern Cape is fast emerging as a leader in the green environment race.</div>
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<b>LOXTON BIODIVERSITY INITIATIVE</b></div>
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The charming town of Loxton is leading the way with several unique biodiversity projects. The town currently forms part of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Riverine Rabbit Programme and is running several projects aimed at the conservation and protection of the critically endangered Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis), which is endemic to the seasonal riverine systems in the Nama- Karoo. Please call Bonnie on +27 (0)82 332 5447 for more information.</div>
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<b>KRAALBOS PROJECT CREATES JOBS</b></div>
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The small town of Kommagas near Springbok in the Northern Cape could receive an employment boost through a recently awarded bioprospecting licence. Struggling with a 90% unemployment rate, the town is set to reap rewards through the cultivation of the indigenous Kraalbos shrub.</div>
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<b>FLOWER POWER</b></div>
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Flower reports from throughout the province are still reporting beautiful blooms. Early flowers were spotted along the West Coast since July, while August saw the floral carpet spreading through the Namaqua National Park and Garies region and fields of daisies surrounding Matjiesfontein, Nieuwoudtville and Loeriesfontein. Flower experts advise the blossom brigade to plan their journey according to the direction of the sun. Driving with the sun from behind in a westward direction in the morning and an easterly direction after midday allows for the best flower viewing. Make the best of sunny days as the flowers are fully open for approximately five hours between 11h00 and 16h00.</div>
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From Springbok in the North to Kamieskroon in the heart of the Namaqua, along the Hantam area to the bulb capital Nieuwoudtville on the edge of the escarpment, each area of the Northern Cape offers flower hunters a unique floral experience. Numerous hiking trails make the most of Mother Nature’s bounty as it allows botanical enthusiasts to get up close to discover the floral miracle.</div>
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The most visible flowers at the moments are the fields of yellow, white and orange Namaqua daisies and flowers can be seen in and around the following towns:</div>
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Springbok</div>
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Okiep</div>
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Concordia</div>
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Nababeep</div>
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Goegap Nature Reserve</div>
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Kamieskroon</div>
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Namakwa National Park </div>
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Garies</div>
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Niewoudtville</div>
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Calvinia</div>
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Port Nolloth</div>
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Kleinzee/Koingnaas</div>
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Hondeklip Bay </div>
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Contact the local tourism offices or national parks for daily flower updates and blooming hotspots or visit www.experiencenortherncape.com. Tankwa National Park: +27(0)27-341 1927; Hantam Area: +27 (0)27 341 2203; Namaqua National Park: +27 (0)27 672 1948; Namakwa Tourism Office: +27(0)27 712 8036</div>
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<b>Destination Insider</b></div>
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In this issue, we visit South Africa’s heartland - the Karoo region with its unexpected, yet awe- inspiring landscapes, which seems to sweep on forever. Sometimes sinister, sometimes placid, but never dull. The Karoo stretches over vast plains with the horizons far removed. The flat dolorite koppies dominate the enchanted world where the Springbuck proudly ‘pronk’, where the sunset seems to set the sky on fire and the dawn breaks cool in the morning. It is where the jackals call to their mates and sing in the moon. Flock of sheep wander peacefully over vast acres of grazing ground.</div>
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<b>Colesberg – </b> this historic town sits alongside the N1 highway at the junction with the N9 and is located almost halfway between Gauteng and Cape Town, which makes it a perfectly situated overnight stop. Colesberg is also an ideal base from which to explore the region via day trips to the impressive waters of Vanderkloof Dam, Lake Gariep and town tours. Colesberg was established in 1830 and retains a number of its old buildings, some of which offers accommodation and/or eateries. The area around Colesberg is known for its stud farms where some of the country’s top merino sheep and famed racing horses are bred. The Kuyasa township has some fine examples of very old stone houses built using local rocks from the surrounding hills.</div>
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Please contact the Tourist info on +27(0)51 753 0678 for more information.</div>
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<b>Attractions:</b></div>
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<b>Amachule Akwantu</b> – this community co-operative trading in traditional crafts is situated behind the museum.</div>
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Anglo Boer War – Colesberg served as the southern front in the early days of the war when over 11 000 Boer and British troops took part in the Colesberg actions from November 1899 to March 1900. Their graves, memorials, fortifications, battle and camp sites can still be seen in and around the town. The Norvalspont concentration camp and cemetery include Coleskop, Plateau Camp, Grenadier Guard Rock, Suffolk Hill and Memorial Hill.</div>
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<b>Doornkloof Nature</b> <b>Reserve</b> lies 50km north of Colesberg and boasts a rich wildlife such as plains game and 173 bird species. It also features a 10km stretch of the Seekoei River, one of the most important tributaries of the Orange River. Please call +27(0)51 753 1315 for more information.</div>
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<b>Lake Gariep</b> lies 40km north of town on the R58 and is a great place for a variety of watersports.</div>
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The Horse Mill is the best-preserved horse mill in the country and has a wooden milling mechanism dating to the 1840s. It’s located in a historic building in Bell Street, which today serves as a pub and restaurant.</div>
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<b>Carnavon –</b> During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Xhosa moved up to the middle Orange River and settled in small groups in areas of the Karoo such as Schietfontein. This community was served by the Rhenish mission at Harmsfontein, which was established in 1860. In 1874, the town was renamed in honour of the British Colonial Secretary, Lord Carnavon. Today, the town serves a busy sheep and game farming community. On farms surrounding the town, visitors can find many examples of the authentic corbelled houses, which were built by the Trek Boers during the 19th century, and are unique to this area. For more information, please call Tourist Info on +27(0)82 221 8045.</div>
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Annual light aircraft fly-in – The Carnavon AeroClub hosts an annual aerial extravaganza. Please call +27(0)53 382 3090 for more information.</div>
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Appie van Heerden Nature Reserve – this reserve comprises of 860 hectares and is home to springbok, gemsbok, black wildebeest, blesbok and zebra. The reserve is also part of the Birds in Reserves Project (BIRP)and a vast number of bird species has been recorded here.</div>
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<b>Blikkieskroeg – </b>has a collection of 4000 beer cans and an authentic 1950s juke box.</div>
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<b>Carnavon museum – </b>displays over 1000 items of cultural and historical interest.</div>
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<b>Famous Homes – </b>view the homes of distinguished South African poets AG Visser and DF Malherbe with their intriguing mixture of Victorian and Gothic building styles.</div>
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Mountain Tortoise Reserve is home to over 60 mountain tortoises, some who will even respond to their names being called.</div>
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<b>Traditional Rieldans –</b> be transported by the traditional rhythms and moves of the Khoi and Khoisan. For dance demonstrations, please call the municipality on +27(0)53 382 3012.</div>
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<b>The Local Brickyard </b>still uses donkey power to turn the paddles of their mixing drums. Guided tours can be arranged through the tourism office.</div>
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<b>Norvalspont </b>can be found 40km north of Colesberg on the R58 and is considered more of a spread-out settlement that a town. It was named after the man who erected a pontoon on the Orange River in 1842, the use of which cost £1 a crossing at the time. It is known for the infamous Norvalspont concentration camp established in 1901, where many Boer women and children from surrounding farms were incarcerated during the Anglo Boer War. 366 people of whom 267 were children under the age of fifteen died in the camps, mainly from measles.</div>
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Philipstown was founded in 1868 due to the need for another Dutch Reformed Church in the area. The town was named after Sir Philip Edmund Wodehouse, the then Governor of the Cape. There is an historic sandstone church in the middle of town, which has one of the oldest organs in the country and the church is rumoured to have the oldest inhabited rectory in the country. Other quaint buildings such as Die Bokskryt in the main street also have wonderful stories to tell. For more information, contact the tourism offices on +27(0)53 665 0094.</div>
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<b>Attractions:</b></div>
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Old Karoo style of buildings – the town has many examples of these buildings dating back over 100 years well as national monuments such as the old prison, the magistrate’s offices, the Dutch Reformed Church and Teichhouse. Rock engravings at Rooipoort and Waschbank</div>
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<b>Explore</b></div>
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<b>Doornkloof Nature Reserve</b></div>
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Doornkloof Nature Reserve is approximately 45km north-west of Colesberg and was proclaimed in 1981 to conserve its biodiversity and ecological processes with particular emphasis on the Zeekoei River. The Zeekoei River is the largest tributary that enters the Vanderkloof Dam. The landscape is very mountainous with abundant ravines and small true plains. The temperature can be extremely hot in summer and very cold with icy nights during winter with frost and occasional snowfall. Temperature ranges from -8°C in July to 41°C from November to February with a summer rainfall that varies between 300mm to 400mm.</div>
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<b>Rolfontein Nature Reserve</b></div>
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Rolfontein Nature Reserve is approximately 8 000 hectares in size. Located 16km north of Petrusville, the reserve can be accessed either from the R389 from Hanover (109km), or the R369 from Colesberg (90km). From Petrusville proceed to Vanderkloof on the R48. Be on the look-out for game such as the White Rhino and other mammals such as Eland, Gemsbok, Kudu, Black wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, and Burchell’s zebra. Aardwolf, Brown hyena, Aardvark, Baboon and Vervet monkeys also occur in the reserve. Please call +27(0)53 664 0900 for more information.</div>
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<b>Stay at:</b></div>
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<b>Colesberg</b></div>
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The Barracks - +27(0)51 753 2286</div>
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The Lighthouse - +27(0)51 753 0043</div>
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Coniston Guest House - +27(0)51 753 0242</div>
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Die Kleipot Guest House - +27(0)51 753 0360</div>
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Merino Inn - +27(0)51 753 0781</div>
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Toverberg Guest House - +27(0)51 753 0422</div>
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Traveller’s Joy - +27(0)83 376 2857</div>
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Colesberg Lodge - +27(0)51 753 0734</div>
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Karoo Huisie - +27(0)51 753 0582</div>
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Oude Hostel Guest House - +27(0)51 753 0131</div>
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River Destiny Lodge - +27(0)51 753 0203</div>
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Colesview - +27(0)51 753 1720</div>
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The Glasgow Pont Hotel - +27(0)51 755 5010</div>
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Gables Inn - +27(0)51 753 0030</div>
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Gordon’s Cottage, The - +27(0)51 753 0390</div>
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Ketelfontein Guest Farm - +27(0)51 753 0582</div>
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La Provence - +27(0)51 753 0486</div>
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Nanna Rous’ Town House - +27(0)51 753 0985</div>
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Seekooeirivier - +27(0)51 753 1378</div>
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Skietberg Lodge - +27(0)82 454 0373</div>
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<b>Carnavon</b></div>
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Lord Carnavon Guest House - +27(0)82 780 4209</div>
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Out of Africa Guest House - +27(0)53 382 3185</div>
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Tip-Top Guest House - +27(0)53 382 3685</div>
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Carnavon Hotel - +27(0)53 382 3095</div>
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Onse Koffiehuis Restaurant - +27(0)53 382 3194</div>
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<b>Norvalspont</b></div>
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The Don Guest House - +27(0)49 843 1075</div>
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Carlton Heights Guest House - +27(0)49 842 2017</div>
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Rooipoort Game and Guest Farm - +27(0)49 843 1707</div>
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<b>Philipstown</b></div>
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The Herb Garden - +27(0)53 665 0464</div>
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Rooipoort Guest Farm - +27(0)83 277 4142</div>
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<b>Loxton</b></div>
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Karoo Cottage - +27(0)53 381 3091</div>
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Jakkalsdans Guest Fram - +27(0)53 381 3005</div>
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For more information on accommodation, please visit www.experiencenortherncape.com</div>
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What's On Diary</div>
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<b>The Maloof Skateboarding for Hope community outreach initiative</b> is a joint initiative between the Northern Cape provincial government and Maloof Skateboarding to bring skateboarding to the youth of South Africa. Don’t miss out on all the action at your nearest city or town. Skate clinics, demonstrations and best trick competitions will wow the crowds, while skateboarding enthusiasts can show of their talent. Loads of prizes are up for grabs and the most talented skater stand the chance to win a wild card entry to the Maloof Money Cup skateboarding championships, which will take place from 28-30 September at the Kimberley Skate Plaza. Tickets to the world championships are now on sale at Computicket for 2012.</div>
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Don’t miss the Skateboarding for Hope activations at the following venues this month:</div>
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<b>Pro Tours</b></div>
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21 September – Kathu</div>
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22 September – Postmasburg: Town Hall</div>
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<b>Maloof Money Cup 2012</b></div>
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27 September – Maloof All-City Contest</div>
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28-30 September – Maloof Skate Plaza, Kimberley : Maloof Money Cup</div>
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Entry tickets to the skate park are available on the Computicket website or Checkers/Shoprite stores countrywide. Entry on Friday, 28 September, is free, while tickets for Saturday, 29 September, and Sunday, 30 September, cost R50 per person. Weekend passes are available at R80. The official opening event with a mini concert featuring DJ Dino Bravo, Da Les and Jack Parow carries no charge</div>
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On Saturday, 29 September, American superstar Lil Jon will perform at the skate park. Your weekend pass or Saturday ticket will give you access to this performance. On Saturday evening, the international artist Ciara, and national artists Zahara, Kenny Kunene & Dr Victor will be performing at the MonsterMob Raceway. Tickets are R60 for general entry, R150 for Golden Circle and R600 for VIP entrance. Tickets for the concert will be going live soon at Computicket.</div>
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<b>The inaugural Kalahari Desert Speedweek</b> hosted by Speedweek SA in conjunction with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Northern Cape Tourism Authority will take place at Hakskeenpan in the Northern Cape from 22 – 30 September 2012. The epic club event will simulate the legendary Bonneville Speedweek hosted in Utah, USA and promises South African motoring enthusiasts the experience of a lifetime. Different classes of vehicles and motorcycles ranging from pre-war classics to modern-day supercars and superbikes will be eligible to participate in the competition, which will be a timed race over a track featuring a 7km straight. For more information, visit www.speedweeksa.com or contact organiser Jan Els on +27(0)82 668 2811 or Peter McKuchane on +27(0)82 467 2525.</div>
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The 13th Apollo Film Festival is an important national film event and showcases the best South African independent films in 3 three categories: Feature, Documentary and Short films. The Apollo theatre and the Apollo project are major tourism initiatives in the Northern Cape. Primarily situated in The Apollo, an Art Deco cinema gem, the festival also has a vital outreach programme. Funded by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).</div>
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Venue: Apollo Theatre, Victoria West, Northern Cape</div>
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Contact: Petrus Martens on 079 397 3876</div>
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<b>The Kalahari Kuierfees</b> was started in 1992 as <b>the SAD Rosyntjiefees</b>. The entire festival takes place at the <b>Eiland holiday resort</b>, which makes it easily accessible for visitors. The 4-day festival attracts more than 30 000 visitors and 170 exhibitors. The festival grounds are located on the banks of the mighty Orange River.</div>
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Dates: 27 Sep 2012 to 29 Sep 2012</div>
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Location: Upington</div>
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Contact: Tel: +27 (0)54 332-1100</div>
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Website: http://www.kalahari-kuierfees.co.za/</div>
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<b>The SANPARKS Arid region </b>consists of 5 National parks, including the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, lAi-lAis/ Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls Park, Namaqua National Park and the Mokala National Park. The Arid Region Cultural Event is staged to showcase the richness and cultural diversity during National Parks Week and National Tourism Month to all visitors to the parks. Contact Mokala National Park for more information on this interesting cultural event.</div>
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Contact Details:</div>
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Tel: 054 338 0600</div>
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Cell: 084 491 1140</div>
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Email: angela.isaks@sanparks.org</div>
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<b>Northern Cape Impressions</b></div>
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Please share your Northern Cape experiences, stories and photos of events with us by e-mailing tebogo@experiencenortherncape.com.</div>
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Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-8094918951472365112012-08-24T07:41:00.001-07:002012-08-24T07:41:05.324-07:00Recommended places to stay<div align="justify">
For a long time now I've been wanting to create this blog and finally I've started. Everytime my wife and I travel to Cape Town we try to overnight at different B&B's with the same grading as ours in order to benchmark standards. Below you will find just some of the places we've stayed at and our comments regarding the quality of accommodation offered. Please note we have children and grandchildren in Cape Town so most of our travels have been in that direction.</div>
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<strong>The Vale Guest House.</strong></div>
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In April 2007 we travelled to cape town and stayed over at <a href="http://www.thevale.co.za/">The Vale Guest </a>farm almost midway farm between three sisters and Beaufort west. This is a perfect stopover place, almost 450km from Kimberley i.e. halfway to Cape Town. The challets are situated +/- 500m from the main road behind a rise and so you don't hear any noise from the N1 traffic. The Challets are well kept and well maintained and are clean and neat and very tidy. We would rate the vale as excellent value for money and well worth considering on your next journey to Cape Town.</div>
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<b>Teri Moja</b></div>
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In April 2008 we once agin traveled down to Cape Town nad stayed over at Teri Moja Game lodge. The lodge is situated just 14 Km outside of Beafort West towards Cape Town Just after the turn off to Oudtshoorn/George. The lodges are well equiped and maintained and far enogh from the main road not to hear any noise from the traffic</div>
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Teri-Moja Game Lodge*** 15km south of Beaufort West on the N1<br />
Cell: 082 789 3040 082 789 3040 OR 082 556 6654 082 556 6654<br />
Fax: 023 414 2501<br />
P.O. Box 1069, Beaufort West, 6970 mjyoung@worldonline.co.za<br />
www.info-beaufortwest.co.za</div>
Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-89199347190669726472012-08-24T07:38:00.001-07:002012-08-24T07:40:11.478-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Scanned Images of Guest Books</div>
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Sir Richards Room (Room 1)</div>
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<b>Scanned Images Of Guest Book</b></div>
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<b>Sir Stewart's Room</b></div>
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<b>Scanned images of the Guest Book </b></div>
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<b>Wendy's Room (Room No3)</b></div>
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<b>Scanned Images of the guest book </b></div>
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<b>Ruth's Room (Room No 4) </b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBsPV2hbiuTuAl5nyKzdezQkadPlWIAhlhcABMASkwrWE2SAdM85NAYCVHzD13ANK5sgoqNZ677BC476UKjucL4QZGNmjMGaoT8HDy00_ltfITUZogwNyHcJ46P_QTZCOfrLnoVRPv28E/s1600/Ruth's+Room+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBsPV2hbiuTuAl5nyKzdezQkadPlWIAhlhcABMASkwrWE2SAdM85NAYCVHzD13ANK5sgoqNZ677BC476UKjucL4QZGNmjMGaoT8HDy00_ltfITUZogwNyHcJ46P_QTZCOfrLnoVRPv28E/s1600/Ruth's+Room+001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHCID6JuCNtqJDesbAPS9unke1uJBWjQ38I8fSlgUOTTj8mDKCy9CPbwER4QvlL2xONKixeKPcvu3DyAbp46mN-CiU8FzoaNvZhCvO1B3OECS5Fyz7uwUtKulmlOcNGbEgZusPHqNIM1p/s1600/Ruth's+Room+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHCID6JuCNtqJDesbAPS9unke1uJBWjQ38I8fSlgUOTTj8mDKCy9CPbwER4QvlL2xONKixeKPcvu3DyAbp46mN-CiU8FzoaNvZhCvO1B3OECS5Fyz7uwUtKulmlOcNGbEgZusPHqNIM1p/s640/Ruth's+Room+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-72802874685741198562008-06-23T02:47:00.000-07:002008-06-23T02:52:34.997-07:00Discover the Northern Cape, South Africa<div align="justify"><strong>Discover the Northern Cape for real adventure</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>Adventure can be different things to different people. The dictionary states that it is the encountering of risks, hazards and enterprise a bold undertaking in Which hazards are to be encountere; a daring feat; a remarkable occurrence; a striking event; a stirring incident; as in the adventures of one’s life.<br /><br />The Northern Cape’s vastness san everlasting challenge to eco-adventurers who are keen to explore. Climatic and topographic extremes dominate a vast land of stark arid varying contrasts. From its endless, flower-carpeted flatlands and scrub-covered plains to the jagged edges and convoluted folds of molten mountains, it is a land of haunting natural beauty. After scaling dizzying heights in searing temperatures with sweat-burned eyes, you feel mystery and wonder imbuing your every sense while gazing down on the broad, cooling waters snaking their (way through the seemingly impregnable mountain moonscape.<br /><br />Visitors are rewarded with experiences that press on their minds. The open, often unpopulated spaces of the Northern Cape call them back again and again to hike its rugged trails, shoot its turbulent rapids, fish its living rivers ail its sapphire skies explore its many back-roads, view its splendid game, revel in its unusual flora and explore the brooding chambers of its worked-out mines.<br /><br />This information is in no way complete but it should give you the taste to explore for more!<br /><br /><strong>4x4 Trails and Challenges</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>Take rugged mountains, endless flatlands and undulating dunes. Add to this diverse scenery, stunning plant life and plentiful game and you have a recipe that will please all 4x4 eco-adventurers. Here are a few of the trails you can undertake: </div><ul><li><div align="justify"><br />Egerton Trail Travel vast open plains and absorb the unique rugged beauty of the Northern Cape by exploring 50km of sand, rocky hills and dongas. Tel 053 831 2659 / 082 493 4756. Nossob.</div></li><li><div align="justify"><br />4x4 Route (Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park), a circular 200km long trail in the Park offering exhilarating dune driving and scenic views, Tel: 012428 9111.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify">Witsand Two routes over dunes and mountains. Tel: 053 3131061/2.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify">Namaqua Trail. Probably the longest 4x4 trail in Africa. Tel: 027 718 29861.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify">Richtersveld Route. (Ai-Ai & Richtersveld Transfrontier Park). Breathtakingly beautiful with a new scene meeting the eye at every turn. Tel: 012428911.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify">Riemvasmaak Trails. Three routes covering approximately 160km of deep sand to steep and very rough tracks, deep dongas and rocky plateaus Tel:084 431 0945.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify">Augrabies Park Takes trailists through surrealistic moonscapes. Tel 054 452 9200.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify">Khamkirri Has trails of varying difficulty. Tel 054 451 0325 / 082 926 0055.<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify">Banksgate Trail. Offers 6 trails varying in distance between 10km and 66km. Tel 02062 ask for 1930.<br /><br /><strong>Windsorton<br /></strong><br />North of Kimberley, (24km off the N12) part of the yea/harts Valley<br /><br />On the banks of the Vaal River, the town started out as Hebron, a mission station. Diamonds were discovered in the river and prospectors flooded the village. The missionaries were sent packing and the town of Windsorton took root in the diggers’ camp, named after PF Windsor, owner of the land on which it developed. Diamonds are still found in the area.<br /><br /><strong>TOURIST INFORMATION NOCCI</strong> Tel/Fax 053 474 0432<br /><br /><strong>Warrenton<br /></strong>61km north of Kimberley on the /V12<br /><br />In 1880 a syndicate bought the western portion of the farm Grasbult on the Vaal River to irrigate the fertile land and produce vegetables for those working the diamond fields. Named after Sir Charles Warren, diamonds were discovered here in 1868 and mining still continues.<br /><br /><strong>TOURIST INFORMATION NOCCI</strong> Tel/Fax 053 474 0432<br /><br /><strong>ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS<br /></strong>Semiprecious Stone Factory Open to the public.<br />Jan Kempdorp<br />North of Kimberley 21km from Warrenton (turn off the N12 onto the R49), part of the Vaalharts Valley. An idyllic town serving the southern section of the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme.<br /><br /><strong>TOURIST INFORMATION</strong> NOCCI Tel/Fax 053 474 0432 Email noccihw@inext.co.za<br /><br /><strong>ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS<br /></strong>Burial Sites The grave sites of German and other soldiers from the Second World War can be found at Jan Kempdorp. Poplar Lane The 38 kilometre poplar lane along the road to Hartswater, was planted in 1937 and has often been considered the longest lane of its kind in the world.<br /><br /><strong>Hartswater<br /></strong>North of Kimberley 16km from Jan Kempdorp on the R49<br /><br />Laid out in 1934 as a town servihg the northern section of the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme, Hartswater’s growth has been nurtured by its irrigation canals and is surrounded by trees and tracts of fertile ground.<br /><br /><strong>TOURIST INFORMATION<br /></strong>NOCCI Tel/Fax 053 474 0432<br />Email noccihw©vharts.co.za<br /><br /><strong>ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS<br /></strong>Burial Sites The burial site of Tswana Chief Galeshewe is near Hartswater.<br />Taung Skull On the border of the Northern Cape and the North West Province.<br />Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme Covering 36 9SOha, the Scheme, which is one of the largest irrigation schemes in the world, is managed by Vaalharts Water, watering 1 250 farms of some 25ha each in the lush Valley.<br />Wine Cooperative Enjoy wine tastingand buy local wines, bottled under the Hinterland and Elements labels.<br /><br />This beautiful yet little known valley is only one hour’s drive north of Kimberley. The surrounds are like a breath of fresh air with the lush green farmlands. Highlighted from the usual yellows and browns of the nearby countryside. Two mighty rivers, the Vaal and the Harts, feed an intricate irrigation scheme that supports more than 1 250 high production agricultural farms. The development of an Agri-Tourism Route is currently taking place, which will allow the tourist to experience all the activities surrounding the harvesting and production of popular local farming products, such as olives, pecan nuts, peanuts, citrus, wine cotton and stone-fruit. Wheat, mealies and Lucerne are also grown. Although agriculture is the mainstay of the valley there is plenty more to do and see. You can cool off in our canals (or even ride down them); explore the region on a 4x4 trip; enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley in a microlight; take a peaceful morning horseriding; watching the waterbirds on a shallow lake during late afternoon or reminisce about the one that got away on the banks of the Harts River. Hartswater and an Kempdorp are the two main centres in the irrigation area and have golf clubs, bowling greens, restaurants and accommodation to suit most tastes.<br /> <br /><strong>The Karoo<br /></strong><br />With the first rains, the seemingly arid soil of the Karoo bursts into abundant life,<br /><br />its hardy succulents complementing the sweet grasses on which the region’s merino and fat-tailed sheep graze. The ever present windmills testify to the countless streams flowing between fissures underlying the dry but fertile soil. Small, isolated but welcoming villages, a distinct Karoo architecture and imposing churches rest in valleys between desolate, flat-topped koppies. Take a short trip from Colesberg, an essential stopover for all travelers and a sheep-farming centre, to Hopetown, the scene of South Africa’s first recorded diamond find. Return, via Orania, a self-proclaimed Afrikaner volkstaat, before making your way to Vanderkloof and the Rolfontein Nature Reserve on the shores of the great Vanderkloof Dam. Indulge in water sports or relax on its secluded banks which stretch 100km to the Doornkloof Nature Reserve on the man-made lake’s southern shores. Throughout this wonderful part of the great Karoo, you can visit, hunt or hike on game farms and nature reserves teeming with every species of antelope. And, like the country they live in, the hardy inhabitants of the Karoo make you feel immediately at home in their beloved countryside.<br /><br />For more information<br /><br /><strong>KAROO TOURISM<br />Emthanjeni Municipality<br /></strong>45 Voortrekker Street, De Aar<br />P0 Box 42, De Aar 7000<br />Tel:’ +27 53 632 9100 or +2753 631 4176<br />Fax: +27 53 631 0105<br />Web: www.emthanjeni.co.za<br />E-mail: deaar@emthanjeni.co.za<br />Web: www.northerncape.org.za/getting_around/regioris/Karool</div></li></ul>Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-62629980259213955282008-06-23T02:42:00.001-07:002008-06-23T02:46:38.867-07:00KIMBERLEY - HISTORICAL PERSONALITIES OF NOTE<div align="justify"><strong>Personalities of note</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>Kimberley has been fortunate to have produced a number of personalities who were legends in their time. So let’s introduce you to a few of these sons and daughters who made their mark locally or further afield...<br /><br /><strong>Sol Plaatje</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>He wrote a novel entitled Mhudi and so became the first Black South African to publish a novel in English. He translated many of Shakespeare’s works into Setswana, a local African Language. Plaatje had a prolific career in journalism-and served as editor of numerous newspapers. He authored a number of important documentary books, in particular Native Life in South Africa. He sang the first ever sound recording of Nkosi Sikelele i Afrika. Plaatje was a founder member of the African National Congress (ANC). He died in 1932 and was buried in the West End Cemetery. His house in Angel Street - today a museum -is a Provincial Heritage Site.<br /><br /><strong>Jan Bloem</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>Born in 1775, the son of a German renegade by .a Korana mother, Jan Bloem junior succeeded his father as chief of the Springbok Korana. Under his leadership, this Korana group exploited the trading and raiding opportunities of the late eight­eenth and early nineteenth century frontier here. A much feared frontiersman, Bloem subsequently allowed the Berlin Missionaries to settle at Pniel in 1845. Bloem died at Pniel in about 1858.<br /><br /><strong>Cecil John Rhodes</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>CJR, as he was affably referred to, came to the diamond dig­gings at the youthful age of eighteen. Blessed with enormous persuasive power, he had an extraordinary ability ‘to get inside the other man’s head’ and achieve virtually anything he wanted. Rhodes was a brilliant strategist and took great risks in his business dealings. By the age of 38, he was already Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and Chairperson both of De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd and Consolidated Goldfields. As an Empire builder, Rhodes was a founder of Rhodesia, known as Zimbabwe today. Buried in the Matopo Hills in Zimbabwe, Rhodes was the only white man to receive from the Matabele people the Royal salute, "Bayete!" at his funeral.<br /><br /><strong>Kgosi (Chief) Galeshewe<br /></strong><br />He was a Tlhaping ‘Kgosi’ (chief) after whom the Kimberley ‘township’ of Galeshewe was named. Galeshewe was cap­tured in 1878 following the attack on Cornforth Hill near Taung and sentenced to twelve years imprisonment. In 1897, during the rinderpest outbreak, he again clashed with police and the military at Phokwane (Hartswater). He was sub­sequently imprisoned for his part in the uprising known as the Langeberg Rebellion. He died at Magagaaphiri, north of Hartswater, in 1927.A memorial was placed at his grave in 2007.<br /><br /><strong>Marie Bocciaretti</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>She became the first South African woman to be trained as a pilot at the Kimberley Flying School in 1913,<br /><br /><strong>Henrietta Stockdale</strong></div><strong><div align="justify"><br /></strong>A member of the Anglican Nursing Order of St Michael and All Angels, she was the founder of professional nurs­ing in South Africa, Sister Henrietta first worked in Kimberley in 1876, returning as Matron of the Carnarvon Hospital here in 1879. The first state registration of nurs­es in the world by Act of Parliament in 1891 resulted from her efforts here to establish profes­sional standards for the training of nurses.</div>Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-11932429421067107972008-06-23T02:28:00.000-07:002008-06-23T02:39:06.555-07:00KIMBERLEY ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS<strong>ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS </strong><br /><strong></strong><ul><li><br /><strong>Africana Library Du Toitspan Rd.</strong> Containing missionary Robert Moffat’s personal copy of his Setswana translation of the Bible, the library is a rich repository of books, manuscripts and photographs portraying life in the Northern Cape. Tel 053 830 6247. (08:00-12:45; 13:30-16:30)</li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum</strong> Chapel Str The original Museum was built in 1907 in memory of Alexander McGregor, a former mayor. Today, as a satellite of the McGregor Museum, it houses new displays on Kimberley’s Malay Camp and urban history. Tel 053 839 2700</div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Art Gallery.</strong> Located In the Kimberley Mine Museum. It contains a set of De Beers-commissioned watercolors depicting Victorian life in Kimberley.<br />Battlefields Route. The many battlefields of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) can be explored on the well marked Ni 2 route. </div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Belgravia Historical Walk</strong> The oldest, exclusively residential suburb originating in the 1870s. A self-guided walk starts at the McGregor Museum.</div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Big Hole and Kimberley Mine Museum</strong> Tucker Str Recently reopened after the whole complex has undergone a R52-million revamp. </div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Burgher Monument,</strong> The Magersfontein. The gravesite of Boers killed in the Anglo-Boer War’s western campaign (1899-1 902). Tel 053 839 2700.</div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Cathedral Church of St Cyprian</strong> Du Toitspan Rd. The elegant building, consecrated in 1908, has the longest nave in the country. Tel 053 833 3437.</div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>The William Humphrey's Art Gallery</strong>. One of the few 5 star art galleries in the country<br /></div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Kimberley Archaeology Route<br /></strong>Introducing a province with a dynamic past<br /><br />In a long history stretching back thousands of year's different groups of people have come into interaction in the Northern Cape. Through the colonial frontier period considerable complexity was added to the mix. But partly because of environmental extremes between arid and better watered areas, the different lifestyles such as hunting and gathering, herding, and farming, practiced by people of different cultural background, have persisted alongside one another into the recent past. Many people in the Northern Cape can trace their roots back to a broadly Khoe-San past. In remote northern and western parts of the province there are a few old people still speaking the nearly extinct San language N/u, while a larger number of people speak the Khoekhoe [pronounced as you would say Khoikhoi] language, Nama. In the north eastern regions of the province SeTswana cultural influences have predominated for perhaps a millennium, while groups of Xhosa lived and traded in the Karoo frontier and along the I Garib (Gariep or Orange River) from the late eighteenth century. The history of the Northern Cape Griqua is part of the same frontier story, when forgotten frontiersmen!? including Bastaard’ and white Trekboer herders moved inland from the Cape and established new territorial claims across these wide pastures. The Griqua included elements from an original Khoekhoe group at the Cape, but attracted a following of other people (including San) of, or displaced in, the frontier. Missionaries and traders came and were party to the interactions -and conflicts - between these various groupings. The discovery of mineral wealth changed forever the way people envisaged what is now the Northern Cape. The copper mines in Namaqualand, and then, on a far bigger and epoch-changing scale, the diamond diggings of the Kimberley region, attracted huge influxes of fortune seekers and migrant workers. The Archaeology Route takes you back to a past predating all of this. But much of its contemporary appreciation acquires added significance in relation to the recent past and present concems.<br /><br /><strong>The McGregor Museum’s Ancestors and Frontier Galleries</strong> — a good place to start — show the long sweep of human history here from handaxe times more than a million years ago, to the emergence of modem humans in Africa and of cultural behaviours that include art, to the coming of farmers and state formation in the last 2000 years. It concludes with challenging look at our frontier history — out of which different scenarios was possible before the finding of diamonds and gold.<br /><br />While at the McGregor, you may wish to visit the Duggan-Cronin Gallery. Early in the twentieth century, photographer Alfred Duggan-Cronin was inspired by the cultural mix that was Kimberley to venture into its sub-continental hinterland recording the rural tribal life that was linked into this area through this history. us photographs are a unique snap-shot of a period poised between what was old and what was new.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Mokala National Park<br /></strong>South Africa’s newest National Park, Mokala, is very conveniently situated 80km south of Kimberley, just off the N12 to Cape Town.<br /><br />The grassy plains studded with Camel thorn trees are the new home to endangered species that were translocated from the old Vaalbos National Park. Temperamental black rhino as well as white rhino, elusive roan antelope, and Cape buffalo are amongst the many mammals that roam the rocky hills and plains. There are also San rock engravings and Anglo-Boer War battlefields to be explored in the area.<br /><br />The Park includes three Lodges - 1~1osu, Mofele and Lilydate. Mosu and Mofete are in relative close proximity to each other and between the two of them can host 60 guests. Both lodges have restaurant, pub and con­ference facilities with Mofele specialising in teambuilding. A new camping area, about 10km from the main lodge, has been established around a waterhole. Lilydale has a mix of catering and seLf catering chalets, a pub and restaurant. The main Lodge at Lilydale consists of a fully-equipped conference centre which can accommodate up to 80 people and is very popular for wedding receptions. Here, 12 luxurious chalets overlook the river and are air-conditioned, each with its own sundeck and braai area. The Riet River is famous for its fly fishing with large quantities of small mouth and Largemouth yellow fish.<br /><br /><strong>Kamfers dam<br /></strong><br />Kamfers Dam is a perennial wetland Located 2km north of Kimberley. It supports the largest permanent population of Lesser Flamingos in southern Africa. At times in excess of 35 000 Lesser Flamingos are present at Kamfers Dam, about 60% of this species’ southern African population. The flamingos are attracted to this 400ha wetland by its size, perennial nature, and abundance of food (as a result of enrichment from sewerage water inflow).<br />Both Greater and Lesser Flamingos had previously attempted to breed at Kamfers Dam without success due to receding water levels which expose the nests to disturbance and predation by dogs and humans. In September 2006 Ekapa Mining constructed an island off the northern shoreline using 26 500 tons of material. Since then it has been reported that up to one thousand eggs have hatched at the man-made breeding island and many more are expected. This is first time they have bred on South African soil.<br />The wetland also supports numerous other bird species, both water birds and terrestrial species; more than 200 species have been recorded during the past 10 years. Kamfers Dam is accredited both as a Natural Heritage Site and an Important Bird Area, and some years ago a submission was made for the wetland to be declared a Ramsar site.<br /><br /><strong>Under Green Pastures<br /></strong>A stone’s throw from Kimberley is three resorts - Riverton, Langleg and Rekaofela. These three resorts offer family fun and activities second to none in the Northern Cape.<br /><br /><strong>Riverton & Langleg Resort<br /></strong>27km from Kimberley on the N12 to Kimberley<br />These two green-lawned municipal resorts are next to each other on the banks of the Vaal River. Facilities include filly equipped self-catering accommodation, a caravan park, 24 hour security, a walk-in bird park, power boat jetty and other recreational facilities such as putt-putt, volley-ball, swimming in large sparkling pools, a water worm, angling canoeing and water skiing.<br /><br /><strong>Rekaofeta Resort<br /></strong>5km beyond Barkly West, on the banks of the Vaal River Rekaofela is the Setswana word for "Place of gathering" This resort is home to the Rekaofela Adventure Centre and is situated only five kilometers from the town of Barkly West on the banks of the Vaal River. It radiates an atmosphere of paece and tranquility. It has accommodation for 104 people as well as recreational facilities such as canoeing, boating, climbing, hiking and orientation and leadership development, team and problem solving<br /><br /><strong>Haunted Corners<br /></strong>Death on the diamond diggings and later during the Anglo-Boer War gave Kimberley many haunted corners. So too did failed romance and other gory deaths, like a huge fire in the old De Beers Mine in which hundreds of miners perished.<br /><br />Today the shivering facts and fallacies about these ghostly visitations are packed in a fun and entertaining guided ghost trail. Your professional tourist guide will lead you to some of the sites where the ghosts are reputed to be seen. Some stops on the tour include the spot where a former librarian of the Kimberley Public Library. now the Africana Library, committed suicide - his ghost is blamed for unex­plained rearrangements of books and files in the library; the Kimberley Club; Rudd House; Kimberley Regiment’s Drill Hall; McGregor Museum; Gladstone Cemetery where some interesting graves such as the one of the first British officer to die during the Anglo-Boer War are found. Your tour Magersfontein battlefield where, it is said, you may hear the lone Scottish piper piping a lament or even lay an eye on the legendary saddled but riderless horse.<br /><br />The Kimberley Ghost Trail is for people with an appetite for history, old buildings, a good ghost story, thrilling fun and an alternative kind of night-time entertainment. The trail is certainly for people with only a gentle interest in the supernatural and all that goes with it.<br /><br />Will anybody actually spot the apparitions? Well, no-one can really say, but going on the trail will definitely render you a spine-chilling opportunity to stumble on a phantom still searching for the buried treasure or tying to wrap up unfinished business.<br /><br /><strong>The Romantic Belgravia Walk<br /></strong>Savour Kimberley’s magnificent and romantic past by spending a few hours on a historical walk in the most beautiful and historical suburb of Belgravia. This circular walk covers a distance of some two kilometers and leads the visitor to 33 of the City’s most historical sites. During the walk, old Kimberley’s opulent lifestyle and its characteristic architecture will be revealed and famous monuments will be visited.<br />The McGregor Museum in Atlas Street sells a Belgravia Historical Guide Book.<br /><br /><strong>The Great Kimberley North Walk<br /></strong>Another great historical walk covering the city centre and the area to the north of the city centre. More than forty enchanting and notable historic sites and streets, including the Executioners Yard and Stockdale Street, are encountered on the route. The walk starts and ends at one of Kimberley’s oldest hotels, the Savoy, and covers a distance of just under four kilometers.<br />The McGregor Museum sells a Great Kimberley North Walk Guide Book<br /><br /><strong>The Historic City<br /></strong>Steeped in exciting history, Kimberley boasts many traces of the past in its architectural heritag~, ) historic sites, museums, heritage sites, and an incredible number of monuments, The following<br /><br />is an alphabetical listing of the most important and imposing of these historic attractions,<br /><br /><strong>Alexander McGregor Memorial Museum<br /></strong>This elegant building in Chapel Street was a gift to the citizens of Kimberley from Margaret McGregor in memory of her late husband Alexander, an early Mayor of Kimberley. The museum opened in 1907 was restored for its centenary in 2007.<br /><br /><strong>Alexandersfontein<br /></strong>In its heyday, this imposing building was regarded as one of South Africa’s top three hotels. It began, however, as a modest hotel situated on the old Cape Town road. It was occupied by Boer forces during the Siege of Kimberley. A new luxury hotel was built on the site and opened on 1 January 1903.The new hotel became renowned as a venue for fabulous weekend picnics and dances for welt-to-do Kimberley residents, travelling there by electric tramcar. Today the building serves as the Jack Hindon Officers’ Club for the South African Army.<br /><br /><strong>Anglo-Boer War Memorials<br /></strong>These are spread out over local battlefields. One of the most impressive is the Celtic cross in memory of the Highland Brigade losses at Magersfontein. Also at Magersfontein are the Scandinavian memorials, a monument to the Black Watch Regiment and stones commemorating both Boer and British losses. Close to the Magersfontein battlefield is the hugely impressive Burgher Monument Further afield are poignant memorials to men who died in action or of disease, at Modder River, Graspan and Belmont.<br /><br /><strong>Barkly West Museum<br /></strong>Situated 35 kilometers from Kimberley. Displays in this quaint museum feature archaeological and geological specimens of Canteen Kopje, an early river diamond digging, Klipdrift Diggers’ Republic, and many richly illustrated aspects of life on the early Diamond Fields. Much of the collection was assembled by Mining Commissioner, Gideon Retief, in the 1940s.<br /><br /><strong>Big Hole (The)<br /></strong>Kimberley’s most famous landmark and ‘must see tourist attraction’ has a new exhibition centre, viewing platform and revamped Old Town.<br /><br /><strong>Canteen Kopje, Barkly West<br /></strong>An Earlier Stone Age archaeological site with open air displays and an historical walk on the geology, archaeology and diamond diggings of the area. Two of the world’s largest hand-axes were found here.<br /><br /><strong>Cape Corps Memorial<br /></strong>At the time of the Great War, 1914-1918, the headquarters of this famous military unit was in Kimberley. Brilliant success at the Battle of Square Hill, Palestine, 18-19 September 1918- where the German field gun, now the centerpiece of this memorial, was captured from the Turks - was clouded on 20 September at the Battle of Kh jibeit where 51 men made the supreme sacrifice, and a hundred were wounded. The memorial was unveiled by General Smuts in 1934 and has recently been relocated to a position next to the Cenotaph.<br /><br /><strong>Cape Police Memorial<br /></strong>On the Belgravia Historical Walk, a statue of a uniformed trooper of the Cape Police commemorates their losses during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. Kimberley was the headquarters of the Griqualand West Division of the Cape Police, also called ‘CPU’. One section of the ‘CPU’ even had a field artillery. The Cape Police served in the defense of Kimberley during the Siege. The Boer gun forming part of the memorial was captured during a skirmish at Dronfield, north of Kimberley.<br /><br /><strong>Cenotaph<br /></strong>Designed by the famous local architect and painter, William Timlin, it was erected to commemorate 400 Kimberley men who fell in World War I. It is unusual in that it gives the dates 1914-1919 (hostilities ceased 1918; Peace treaty in 1919). Plaques bearing the names of Kimberley men who died during World War 11(1939-1945) were added later.<br /><br /><strong>City Hall<br /></strong>A City centre Landmark! This imposing building was designed by Fergus Carstairs Rogers in Roman Corinthian style. It was built in 1899 just before the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War and served as a distribution point for rations during the Siege of Kimberley.<br /><br /><strong>Clyde N Terry Hall Of Militaria Situated At The Kimberley MOTH Centre<br /></strong>World War II veteran, Clyde Terry, built up his amazing collection over a time span of more than a decade. It comprises, as son Clyde Junior’s puts it, ‘anything military’. Displays include international military badges, uniforms, medals and other relics. The collection is housed in a building constructed by Clyde Junior and a team of helpers.<br /><br /><strong>De Beers Head Office<br /></strong>This building was the original headquarters of Barney Barnato’s Kimberley Central Diamond Mining Company. Today it is the seat of the internationally renowned and influential diamond mining company, De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.<br /><br /><strong>The Kimberley Tramways Company<br /></strong>Although the <a name="OLE_LINK3">Kimberley Tramways Company </a>was formed in 1880, it took until 1885 for the Gibson Brothers to set up the Victoria Tramways Company and construction on the first tramways started in 1887. It was a 36” gauge tramway linking Kimberley and the then separate Borough of Beaconsfield. These first tram cars were pulled by mules.<br /><br />In 1905 an electrified tramway was opened by De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd linking Kimberley with the posh Alexandersfontein Hotel while the Beaconsfield route was electrified in 1905. Buses began to replace trams in Kimberley in 1939 but the Kenilworth trams ran until 1947 while the last trams were used in the mining area until as recently as 1954, after which virtually all tramway infrastructure was demolished.<br /><br />It was decided to reintroduce a tramway between the historic City Hall and the Big Hole as a tourist attraction and the first rails were laid in june 1985. However, the restoration of the present tram, which was donated by De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd, had already commenced in 1983. This tram, identified as Car Number 3, was first used by De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd.<br /><br />It was also known as the ‘tower car’, a name derived from the adjustable platform which had been fitted in order to carry out overhead maintenance to the tram poles and wires. It is believed that the tramcar was built by john Stephenson Company and the jG Brill Company of Philadelphia and originally ran between 1906 and 1914.<br /><br />The livery of the tram follows closely the yellow and black livery of the original Kimberley & Alexandersfontein Electric Railway. The wording added on the frames is ‘Kimberley Tramways’, and so Car Number 3 was restored to its former operational condition and proudly reintroduced on 12 October 1985.<br /><br />Today tens of thousands of tourists annually take a trip down memory lane on Car Number 3. They literally get carried away by the travelling tram’s screeching sounds, its gentle swaying and the sound of a foot operated warning bell as they pass some of Kimberley’s most historic sites such as the Head Office of the De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd and the original Big Hole mine dumps.<br /><br /><strong>Diggers’ Fountain<br /></strong>Sculpted by Herman Wald, this magnificent Larger-than-Life-size bronze monument situated in the Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Gardens honours and recognises the role and effort of the diamond diggers who brought Kimberley into existence. It portrays five diggers holding a diamond sieve on high, each digger representing one of the five major Kimberley mines.<br /><br /><strong>Driekopseiland Rock Engravings<br /></strong>About 70km from Kimberley, near Plooysburg - Only by appointment through the museum. Driekopseiland (Three Head Island) is a site of more than 3 000 Khoesan rock engravings made on glacial pavements in the bed of the Riet River. Believed to be between 800 and 2 500 years old, these engravings are submerged when the river rises,<br /><br /><strong>Dunluce<br /></strong>A reflection of late Victorian elegance and a fine example of the unique Kimberley architecture, this distinguished home was built in 1897 for Gustav Bonas. John Orr, a famous retailer in South Africa,<br />bought the house in 1902. The house, which retains much the original furnishings, has much decorative woodwork on its facade.<br /><br /><strong>Firsts in History<br /></strong>Unknown to many people Kimberley lays claim to numerous historic firsts.<br /><br /><strong>Freddie Tait Golf Museum<br /></strong>Situated at the Kimberley Golf Club, it is the first golfing museum in Africa. On display are trophies and golf artifacts from a century of golf in Kimberley including the famous putter of Freddie Tait. Tait was British amateur golf champion in 1896 and 1898. He was killed at Koodoosberg, near Kimberley in 1900 during an Anglo-Boer War skirmish.<br /><br /><strong>Halfway House<br /></strong>An old pub steeped in tradition.<br /><br /><strong>Honoured Dead Memorial<br /></strong>This memorial was designed at the insistence of Rhodes by the famous architect, Sir Herbert Baker, who later designed the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The memorial commemorates those who died while defending Kimberley during its Siege in the Anglo-Boer War campaign. Bearing an inscription by Rudyard Kipling, who sometimes resided on Rhodes’ estate in Cape Town, the memorial is the tomb of 27 soldiers. At the base of the monument is the famous ‘Long Cecil’ gun which was manufactured during the siege at the De Beers Workshops, to counter the artillery fire of the Boers. The monument, built of sandstone quarried in the Matopo Hills in Zimbabwe, is situated at the highest point in Kimberley where five roads meet. It is regarded as one of the finest memorials in South Africa.<br /><br /><strong>Kimberley Africana Library<br /></strong>One of the best research libraries in South Africa it contains a wealth of material on Africa, the Northern Cape and Kimberley in particular. There are also special collections of old and rare books, such as Dr Robert Moffat’s own copy of his translation of the Old Testament into Setswana, a local indigenous language. The library opened in 1887 as a public library and the building retains many of its original features like a wrought-iron gallery, spiral staircase and antique furniture.<br /><br /><strong>Kimberley Club<br /></strong>Here, it is said, were once ‘more millionaires to the square foot’ than at any other place on earth. Established in 1881, its most famous members included Cecil John Rhodes, Dr Leander Starr Jameson, Charles Dunell Rudd, Barney Barnato, Sir Ernest Oppenheimer and his son Harry.<br /><br />Kimberley Regiment Drill Hall Originally built as the Arts Hall for the South African and International Exhibition in 1892, it was afterwards used by the Kimberley Rifles for drilling recruits. It serves today as the headquarters of the famous Kimberley Regiment which was established in 1899.<br /><br /><strong>Kimberley Tramways Company<br /></strong>Take a trip on the old car.<br /><br /><strong>Magersfontein Battlefield Museum<br /></strong>An absolute must for the military history buff. This museum depicts the full drama of the Magersfontein battle. Uniforms and many weapons as used during the battle are on display, as well as biographic sketches of a number of combatants. A short but spectacular video-based sound and light show offers visitors an almost real-life feeling of the battle. Sections of the famous Boer trenches can still be seen from the hilltop observation post where there is also a model of the battlefield. There are numerous monuments and information panels on the battlefield and visitors are welcome to take a walk or drive around.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Flamingo Casino<br /></strong>N12, Transvaal Road Tel 053 830 2600<br />Relive the Diamond Rush era at the Sun International operated Flamingo Casino with its turn-of-the-century style that reflects the romance of the Victorian age. The Casino with its 9 gaming tables and 235 slot-machines is flanked by a family restaurant and a 200-seat conference centre.<br /><br />Live entertainment is hosted at the 129 Show bar and there are also bars and a small retail component Accommodation is available at the 90-room Road Lodge.<br /><br />Being situated adjacent to the Kimberley Golf Club enables you to enjoy both the incentive of a challenging game of golf and a stimulating casino experience.<br /><br /><strong>Shop, eat and enjoy<br /></strong>Kimberley’s shopping experience has come of age with the opening of two new shopping centres and yet another one on the cards. All of the mainline banks are represented as well as the post office and all the networks in the cellular services. This is complimented by fashion/ clothes, jewelry and accessory outlets, decor/soft furnishing shops, as well as stationery, optical, photographic, computer, music and many other specialty shops. And if all the shopping makes you hungry you’ll find that restaurants and fast food outlets are well represented with a variety of eateries to choose from.<br /><br /><strong>Diamond Pavilion<br /></strong>Corner of Oliver (Bloemfontein road) & McDougal Rd. This new mall is all that you want in a regional shopping centre and brings a shopping convenience to the Northern Cape like it’s never had before, The centre houses many of the well-known shopping brands together under one roof and is anchored by well respected chains such as Checkers, Woolworths, Ackermans, Mr. Price, Edgars and Truworths.<br /><br /><strong>Other Shopping Sites:<br /></strong>Game Centre - Bultfontein Road<br />Hadison Park Centre - Schreiner Street<br />Jones Street MaR - Barkly Roa<br />Monument Centre - Memorial Road<br />Pick ‘n Pay Centre - Sidney Street<br />Pick ‘n Pay Rhodesdene - Carters Road<br />North Cape Mall - (opening April2008)<br />Riviera Centre - Schmidtsdrift Road<br />Shoprite Centre - Bultfontein Road</div></li></ul>Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-44563035783519003532008-06-23T02:21:00.000-07:002008-06-23T02:23:05.092-07:00THE KIMBERLEY STORY<strong>THE KIMBERLEY STORY</strong><br /><div align="justify"><br />The title evokes thoughts of the early days, of boisterous diggers in one of the many saloons or pubs that studded the winding roads of the canvas and corrugated iron diamond town, swigging draughts and singing along with, dare one say it, scantily clad womenfolk.<br /><br />Great fun indeed, these early days of New Rush on the farm Vooruitzicht, except for the fact that the Colonial Secretary detested both the term New Rush - too vulgar - and Vooruitzicht he could hardly spell it, lot alone pronounce it! So the problem of renaming the town was passed to Richard Southey, then Lt-Governor of Griqualand West, who in turn, passed it on to John Blades Currey, the government secretary. A very worthy diplomat, Currey made very sure that the Colonial Secretary would be able to spell and pronounce the new name chosen for the town, by naming it after the secretary himself, Kimberley. The name was obviously approved by His Worship, so Kimberley was born, bet it can be certain that the diggers did not care two hoots at the time. The new name was proclaimed on 5 July 1873, although the township was founded in 1871. The story of naming Kimberley is fairly well known, but what is not well known is who lord Kimberley was, and what did he do that even today his name is as well remembered as that of his monarch, Queen Victoria?<br /><br />John Woodhouse was born in Whymondham, Norfolk, on 29 May 1826, the eldest son of Harry and Anne Wodehouse, and a relative of Sir Philip Wodehouse, Governor of the Cape Colony 1861-1870. At the age of 20, while still a student at Oxford University, re inherited his grandfather's title of Baron Wodehouse, his father having predeceased him Five years later he was appointed Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, holding this post from 1852 to 1856, after which he became the British ambassador to Russia. In 1858 he resumed his former position until his promotion to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1864 a post he held for two years: QueenVictoria conferred an earldom upon him in 1869. He and his wife, the former Lady Florence Fitzgibbon, were living at their country estate, called Kimberley House, in the village of Kimberley in Norfolk, hence the choice of title. The name Kimberley is derived from the Anglo Saxon word Cynbergnleah, which means “women were entitled to own land”. Two years later Lord Kimberley became a member of Gladstone’s first cabinet and from 1870 he served as Secretary for the Colonies. As his appointment coincided with the discovery of diamonds on the ‘dry diggings’ he was prominent in the dispute over the ownership of Griqualand West, and the negotiations for its annexation as British territory.<br /><br />Although he resigned his post in 1974, he was re-appointed by Gladstone as Colonial Secretary from 1 1880-1882, one of his major feats during the period being the peace settlement after the battle of Majuba in 1881. He lived long enough to hear about the siege and relief of the town named after him and died on 8 April1902.</div>Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-5903259329329199882008-06-23T01:55:00.000-07:002008-12-12T23:46:24.349-08:00The City of Kimberley In the Northern Cape Proince of South Africa<div><br /><div><div align="center"><strong>The City of Kimberley</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Northern Cape</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>South Africa</strong></div><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><br /><div align="justify">The capital and the only city of the province, Kimberley is in the centre of South Africa (36 Km of the geographic centre) with two national roads leading to it, the NI2 (Cape Town via the NI to the south and Pretoria/Johannesburg to the north) and the N8 going east to west<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyOOTShi9IOBuweP26ipE9qdAPRtUywnIgI1v4nB3itxYhCsg4XZyBAoMOhjtXPqWiKe8FBPUtn6a8BFIuoTlNFg-sXRW49q3oWsMKXBbfnpQmbK5eWJTw88olDmdokexT5Z499-JLZLE/s1600-h/26082007557.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214998998153236722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="149" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyOOTShi9IOBuweP26ipE9qdAPRtUywnIgI1v4nB3itxYhCsg4XZyBAoMOhjtXPqWiKe8FBPUtn6a8BFIuoTlNFg-sXRW49q3oWsMKXBbfnpQmbK5eWJTw88olDmdokexT5Z499-JLZLE/s200/26082007557.jpg" width="113" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNSixX7vuvGpuAAY7Y_lXbmznl0BwFcwpsi0I4o3IwE_hkVY6Drs7QAVg9Hp4wa2Nl26h-Vr_G_W0h0MVjmj0AUAgGL61wYdKWtls0rAbCnMN-FYD4Jgeo7w_2TP13WYa7HOM9Xz2Cl4i/s1600-h/26082007554.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215000205778455762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNSixX7vuvGpuAAY7Y_lXbmznl0BwFcwpsi0I4o3IwE_hkVY6Drs7QAVg9Hp4wa2Nl26h-Vr_G_W0h0MVjmj0AUAgGL61wYdKWtls0rAbCnMN-FYD4Jgeo7w_2TP13WYa7HOM9Xz2Cl4i/s200/26082007554.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7w6cje0hawmfxle8vAEhl7KPm87iobQ5zzItzaf9T8AV1qFkBykit_LMdcJZhSzPh0Px9OROc7QqI8KcRzVt8l7xA4ZBFAR8P6yaMS9KBI9Cdir1vynRVRjMMO4s5q6h1vA6h9RHsiiA/s1600-h/26082007560.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ02fhyphenhyphen0Voe-bFWlpsDPhBqArvtRXG0Wh1qP2ClkwaWEsznFuVN-0JsHoKNU0Miw1AiWWaDh0_dwRmbOSojwhRjFqK0LjAcpXohguR6TjtFGETdML2oSaVhzntpUC_zYnc53HgQXKyYyc/s1600-h/26082007554.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><div align="justify"></div>The Geographical Centre of South Africa</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUpFVHZ1evAdndhY5jicZoYI1_DWrwEb0WOp6s9R2r5XPQ6bglucy9usUDQYTn4gqR1__-I4YbWVCs-HwQiM3qasvsPNbvjGRDwLhHlgQOhVtxVDbwg3u-HGew-LGG-23nnYIxp2ANjsj/s1600-h/26082007556.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214998999433730946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="117" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUpFVHZ1evAdndhY5jicZoYI1_DWrwEb0WOp6s9R2r5XPQ6bglucy9usUDQYTn4gqR1__-I4YbWVCs-HwQiM3qasvsPNbvjGRDwLhHlgQOhVtxVDbwg3u-HGew-LGG-23nnYIxp2ANjsj/s200/26082007556.jpg" width="169" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJ02fhyphenhyphen0Voe-bFWlpsDPhBqArvtRXG0Wh1qP2ClkwaWEsznFuVN-0JsHoKNU0Miw1AiWWaDh0_dwRmbOSojwhRjFqK0LjAcpXohguR6TjtFGETdML2oSaVhzntpUC_zYnc53HgQXKyYyc/s1600-h/26082007554.jpg"></a></div></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7w6cje0hawmfxle8vAEhl7KPm87iobQ5zzItzaf9T8AV1qFkBykit_LMdcJZhSzPh0Px9OROc7QqI8KcRzVt8l7xA4ZBFAR8P6yaMS9KBI9Cdir1vynRVRjMMO4s5q6h1vA6h9RHsiiA/s1600-h/26082007560.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214999004437610562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" height="96" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7w6cje0hawmfxle8vAEhl7KPm87iobQ5zzItzaf9T8AV1qFkBykit_LMdcJZhSzPh0Px9OROc7QqI8KcRzVt8l7xA4ZBFAR8P6yaMS9KBI9Cdir1vynRVRjMMO4s5q6h1vA6h9RHsiiA/s200/26082007560.jpg" width="124" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7w6cje0hawmfxle8vAEhl7KPm87iobQ5zzItzaf9T8AV1qFkBykit_LMdcJZhSzPh0Px9OROc7QqI8KcRzVt8l7xA4ZBFAR8P6yaMS9KBI9Cdir1vynRVRjMMO4s5q6h1vA6h9RHsiiA/s1600-h/26082007560.jpg"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">A plaque telling about the site and another purrrr..fect Northen Cape Sunset.</div><br /><div align="justify">In 1871, diamond deposits found on a hillock dubbed Colesberg Kopje on the farm Vooruitzicht, owned by the De Beers brothers, led to a mad scramble for fame and fortune and the world’s largest, hand-dug excavation, the colossal Kimberley Mine or Big Hole. </div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO5fBPiv66UL8oy3y8QAxh1DtE20NRAlQAzvaKcQSs6hFjsA_AKuW9CzOkoCb2mKUViF_xG0sIXSjTXh0J3LpKbM3GCyUGrEEGlFUtzz-fyCmGbtHdUNeguaOtSUE-Y7QG4OHDLuetrE4/s1600-h/The+Big+Hole.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215002222562266242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO5fBPiv66UL8oy3y8QAxh1DtE20NRAlQAzvaKcQSs6hFjsA_AKuW9CzOkoCb2mKUViF_xG0sIXSjTXh0J3LpKbM3GCyUGrEEGlFUtzz-fyCmGbtHdUNeguaOtSUE-Y7QG4OHDLuetrE4/s200/The+Big+Hole.jpg" border="0" /></a>By 1872, the tents and shacks of more than 50 000 feverish diggers crowded New Rush, the mining town surrounding the hillock. Overcrowding, insufficient water, unsanitary conditions, disease, heat, dust and flies were ever present problems in the mining town’s early days. In the fledgling city’s many gambling dens, card- and loan sharks thrived on a diet of other people’s blood, sweat and tears. The stakes were high and the ruthless ruled as fortunes were made and lost in a day. Some found only despair and heartbreak, but others struck it rich. Spacious homes began to rise from the dust and, in 1873, the town was renamed Kimberley, after the Earl of Kimberley, British Secretary of State for the Colonies. Despite the town’s severe dose of diamond dementia, it was, by 1900, a prosperous town. Its complex, higgledy-piggledy web of roads is a topographic reminder of a chaotic past. And not one, but five big holes, and a number of smaller mines, had been gouged out of the earth, reaching ever deeper into its bluish, diamond-bearing Kimberlite pipes! The Kimberley Mine was closed in 1914. Covering 17ha, it reached a depth of 1 097m and yielded three tons of diamonds. A bawdy shanty town born of a desperation and greed redolent of the American Wild West, Kimberley swiftly donned a mantle of architectural elegance. Today, it is a prosperous, thriving metropolis with Victorian buildings that complement the more modern buildings of the CBD. Lacking the furious pace of South Africa’s larger urban giants, it is perhaps the country’s most innovative town. Home of our first flying school, our first stock exchange and the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street-lighting, it is mining a brilliant future from a glorious past.<br /><br />The frenetic activity, the extraordinary web of pulley cables leading to a six-storey staging platform and the sight of up to 30 000 miners working 3 600 claims over 1 7ha have faded into the sepia memories of photographic archives.<br /><br />Yet, somehow, memories of the Kimberley tent-town’s days linger. Many old buildings, museums and one of South Africa’s most important art galleries lend an historic ambience to the city that thrust its way to prominence during the diamond rush. A reconstruction of the original ‘rush town’ stands alongside the incredible Big Hole, the largest hand-dug excavation in the world, offering visitors insight into the lives of those who lived and worked through the dreams and nightmares of a vibrant history we take for granted. During the Anglo-Boer War, Kimberley was besieged by the Boers for 2 four months. In this time, many heroes rose to prominence. Boer forces surrounding Kimberley showed how a determined, small and under-resourced force could keep the British army at bay for months. But Kimberley’s diamond story and siege are part of only the most recent history here. A rich archeological heritage, including stunning examples of ancient rock engravings, reflects a past that reaches back to the very origin of humankind.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19G1DdSlfsgrERvZU4AfjEFhZUSyhvhhfmkWyZGhwGbZWQT6IqAQcWKPITRuUDZuj_w0B8zdfs42AZarKyyYJ2QyIZm8Oiu3LdXOQkF7vfwr5LZviFNv7Zi9NIzA5dYuGBq07bPGsPqIy/s1600-h/24032007361.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215003015428686306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19G1DdSlfsgrERvZU4AfjEFhZUSyhvhhfmkWyZGhwGbZWQT6IqAQcWKPITRuUDZuj_w0B8zdfs42AZarKyyYJ2QyIZm8Oiu3LdXOQkF7vfwr5LZviFNv7Zi9NIzA5dYuGBq07bPGsPqIy/s200/24032007361.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSSazthS3Ut7W66eEVpas_G_wI-ryTPFqk9Dd-2qSDunxhyphenhyphencoxPbDTlqiXDuZz7x1kY-n7mDz5T6yP66BuB6wbEih0YUVwfSsLtJF_Pa6GPDqanqlmjvhOUhwLnhP-wPpaRFcBARWtohU/s1600-h/24032007362.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215003015427006514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSSazthS3Ut7W66eEVpas_G_wI-ryTPFqk9Dd-2qSDunxhyphenhyphencoxPbDTlqiXDuZz7x1kY-n7mDz5T6yP66BuB6wbEih0YUVwfSsLtJF_Pa6GPDqanqlmjvhOUhwLnhP-wPpaRFcBARWtohU/s200/24032007362.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Bushmen Art at the Wildebeestkuil Rock Art Site.</div></div></div>Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-33336925125749010562008-06-18T12:46:00.000-07:002008-06-18T13:06:42.718-07:00Kimberley a City of Firsts1882 First city in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street lighting(September 2)<br />1890 First 7th Day Adventist Church in SA established by Pieter Wessels.Declared a National Monument in 1967.<br />1891 Henrietta Stockdale became the first matron of the new Kimberley hospital.<br />? First city in South Africa to switch on an automatic telephone exchange.<br />? First Stock Exchange in South Africa.<br />1904 First Electric Tram in South Africa<br />1904 First city or town to manufacture compressed bricks and terracotta ornaments<br />1912 First Woman trained as a pilot.<br />1919 First dummy pass in rugby.<br />1931 First airport to install lighting equipment and first night landing by a pilot.<br />1940 First female municipal traffic wardens.<br />1954 First state school for physically disabled.<br />1969 First Woman judge: Miss Justice Leonora van de Heever.<br />1976 First housing scheme, Ipopeng in Galeshewe, for black mine workers.<br />1983 First black town council: Galeshewe.<br />1983 First coloured priest to become a Bishop<br />1992 First City council to amalgamate all group areas.Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089169376676959858.post-89864294147909688332008-06-16T02:48:00.000-07:002009-12-28T05:52:34.710-08:00The Nook B&B, Kimberley, South Africa<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Nook B&B</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Henry Schmidt Cresc</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Labram</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Kimberley</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Tel/Cell: +27721168390</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Fax: +27865130240</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Web: <a href="http://www.thenookbnb.co.za/">http://www.thenookbnb.co.za/</a></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify">Established in 2005 THE NOOK B&B is a TGCSA 3 Star graded B&B and is centrally situated and within walking distance (800m) of the CBD, ABSA Park, Virgin Active Gym, Hospitals, Dining facilities and Tourist places of interest.</div><div align="justify"><br />It comprises four luxury ensuite rooms each room can take a maximum of two persons per room (Air-conditioned). All rooms are fitted with TV, Microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster. Tea, coffee and rusks as well as a health breakfast comprising cereals, juices, muffins, health bread, yoghurt, and cooldrinks are set out in the rooms on a self catering basis. Outside, there is a quiet garden environment with a Splash pool, braai facilities & secure parking.</div><div align="justify"><br />The setting and position gives The Nook B&B a quiet, peaceful and tranquil ambiance. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Our Rates are as follows:</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Single Rate: R370/night/person</div><div align="justify">Double/Sharing Rate: R230/night/person.</div><div align="justify">Family/Group Rate: R230/night/person.</div><div align="justify"><br />Establishment Type:Bed & Breakfast - Semi - Self Catering<br />Check In Time: After 2:00 PM<br />Check Out Time: Before 11:00 AM<br />Children are considered adults over:12</div>Rob Gibsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16526320359042512001noreply@blogger.com0